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1.20.2012

So excited to introduce y'all to the ever cute and clever Jen of the blog, the Arizona Russums. Hopefully you are already well acquainted with her - because if not, sad to say... but you've been missing out! We did a little Q&A session for you to get to know her a bit better + stay tuned through the end of the post for a chance to win a double giveaway!... One winner, two prizes!

Q: Why do you blog?

A: I started blogging when my husband and I got married and moved from Seattle to Phoenix immediately upon returning from our honeymoon. We were excited to become the Arizona Russums and document all our adventures. However, blogging took an unexpected twist for me about six months later when I became so fascinated by this community that I began researching blogging for grad school. Most importantly though, I use my blog to share God's Word and encourage other women to live joyfully for Christ.

Q: Tell us something fun about you that your readers probably don't know?

A: I am super particular about my food. I don't like any condiments {ketchup - ugh, mustard - sick, mayo - eeek!} and I will not pour liquids over dry foods. This means no syrup on pancakes and no milk on cereal. The thought of eating soggy food makes me want to throw up! Weird, huh?

Q: If you had $5,000 and had to spend it on yourself in one day - how would you spend it?

A: On myself? Okay, if I had to spend it on myself I would probably hunt for new furniture and home décor goods around Phoenix. I would explore all the fun vintage and shabby chic shops I've heard about but still haven't visited since living here, and if there was any money left after this adventure, I would run over to Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. Good thing I have amazing shopping stamina.

Q: Favorite beverage, favorite comfort food, favorite candy?

A: Umm... do I get to pick one of each?! Favorite bev is for sure the white chocolate mocha I make myself every morning on my little machine. It pairs perfectly with the Bible. // Favorite comfort food? Kraft Mac and Cheese on a sad or rainy day. // My favorite candy has been Sour Patch Watermelons since high school, but now I am obsessed with eating Twizzler Nibs in my night classes.

Q: One piece of advice for newlyweds?

A: Your spouse is not perfect and they never will be. You knew that going into it, but it's so easy to get caught up in ideals and expectations in those first weeks, months and years. I clung to I Peter 3:1-2 during my first year of marriage: "Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct." No matter how my husband is acting, I am called to obey God and respect my spouse. Usually this means silencing my tongue when I want to justify myself, point out Micah's mistakes, or spout off in anger.

Q: One piece of advice for new bloggers?

A: Have boundaries. If it stops being fun, take a break for a while. If responding to reader comments is taking over your life, don't respond to them unless a really special one jumps out at you. And while it's awesome to document life and share things online, its okay to keep some things private as well. You can be the "real" you on your blog and still have boundaries with what you post about your life at home.

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One thing I love about blogging is making "blog friends," Jen being one of them... but man-oh-man! don't you just wish you could be real life friends with this gal & grab a white mocha with her? um... i do! but since that may not be possible (although, who knows!) in this life time for most of us you can alway find her here:

Winner will be chosen using random.org on sunday 1/29/12 @ 11:59pm central and contacted via email. PLEASE make sure to leave your email address -- or you see, i won't be able to tell you that you won & i'll have to pick someone else & that would be very sad...

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alright blogger gals -- so glad to have gotten to introduce you to Jen! I hope you liked our little Q&A (I love the advice she gave)! So go check her out and check out DownEast Basics too! -- they have some super cute (and affordable) fashions I think you will really like! xo & happy friday...